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From: is li v in23
<br /> To: Council Testimony;WPCtestimony
<br /> Subject: Testimony regarding Punalu"u,Ka"u S.M.A. permit
<br /> Date: Monday,March 11,2024 9:24:23 PM
<br /> Aloha,
<br /> I write in opposition of the proposed development of Punalu'u,Ka'u. When people come and see the untouched areas of
<br /> Hawai'i,they see the beauty but not all of them understand beyond the sight. Far too many who see the untouched beauty
<br /> decide they want to erect structures. They don't understand that it being untouched is what makes it so beautiful,so rare,and
<br /> that to erect structures would taint it,not enhance. People come from afar to escape where they were from,then try to make
<br /> this place like the place they left. It makes no sense to me.
<br /> Let us not be naive. We know and have seen photos from archives. It all starts with just one structure,maybe two,that would
<br /> supposedly be all there will be. These,then,open the floodgates and in a matter of time,the hope of preservation is
<br /> obliviated,the area raped,and the lifestyle polluted.
<br /> 1 was born and raised in Kailua-Kona. When I go back,it's not home anymore. It's been overrun with these sorts of
<br /> developments. I deeply appreciate that i can still get a sense of yesteryear when I go up mauka. I would find it hard to
<br /> believe that you don't think about,and have a yearn for,how things used to be. Part of what destroyed what we wish we still
<br /> had,and wish we could share with our keiki,it is unwise developments like what is being proposed..
<br /> Living in Ka'u takes a kind of love,discipline,strength,humbleness,and dedication that not all possess or can handle. That's
<br /> part of what makes living there,and being raised there,so special. It molds you into a kind person that this world needs more
<br /> of. If you are blessed to be from Ka'u,you carry that with pride.
<br /> To live in Ka'u you must accept,embrace,and grow through the difficulty. Unfortunately,in this day and age,living there is
<br /> too hard for some.The answer is to not deface and to take away from what makes living in Ka'u,as it is,so special. The
<br /> answer is not to open the floodgates to make it like other places. The answer is not to sacrifice what is pure. Punalu'u and it's
<br /> surrounding areas are pure and should be preserved!
<br /> It's said that this development will bring jobs and economic growth to KaTn but when you stop looking at it through
<br /> desperation,you'll see the sacrificial expense of it far outweighs any possible benefit. There are existing towns and structures
<br /> in Pahala,Na'alelru,and Ocean View. Disrupting the untouched will change Ka'u and diminish how special and how rare it is.
<br /> Preserve the untouched and look to enhance the already developed.
<br /> Again,though,let us not be naive. There will always be a difficulty,a price to pay,for living in such a rare place. If it's not
<br /> for you,leave. Living in Ka'u didn't align with what my husband and I felt we needed to do. As such,we relocated but our
<br /> pu'uwai remains. We left knowing that one day,when we can,we will return. Until that day,we will fight to ensure that
<br /> when we return,it's still Ka'u. KEEP KA'U,KA'U!
<br /> Mahalo,
<br /> Jaylin Grace
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